Councilman: Garbage Tax 'Like Giving Alcohol to Alcoholic'

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

"It's like giving alcohol to the alcoholic," Carl DeMaio told the San Diego Reader. "Until you remove the waste at City Hall, any more money that’s given will be wasted.”

A San Diego City Councilman reacted very negatively to a grand jury decision that the city should begin charging residents to pick up household waste, according to a published report.

A county grand jury recommended earlier this month to repeal the 90-year-old ordinance that prevents the city from charging residents for garbage collection. The fees would most likely be $10 to $12 a month per household.

"It's like giving alcohol to the alcoholic," Carl DeMaio told the San Diego Reader. "Until you remove the waste at City Hall, any more money that’s given will be wasted.”

It costs the city $37 million a year for trash pickup and disposal. The city is looking at a $60 million budget gap next year.